Freedom Network Community |
Backpage.com CEO Arrest: A Public Stunt, Not an Anti-Trafficking Effort
As the latest in a multiyear effort to target third party online advertisers, CEO of advertising website backpage.com Carl Ferrer was arrested in October on felony charges of pimping a minor and conspiracy to commit pimping. Mixed messaging from law…
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Freedom Network Community |
Support the Work of Freedom Network USA!
Freedom Network USA had a exceptional year. As 2016 comes to a close we are taking time to reflect on our work and the thousands of survivors served by our members. As the largest anti-trafficking coalition of direct service providers,…
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Freedom Network Community |
Big Win: First Motion Passed in Western New York to Vacate Trafficking Survivors’ Criminal Record
Human trafficking survivors are often convicted of the various crimes that their traffickers force them to commit during their enslavement. The resulting criminal records present on-going barriers to independence and healing as survivors struggle to obtain employment, and free themselves…
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Freedom Network Community |
Trafficking in Persons Report Cites Opportunities and Challenges Ahead: FN Response
On June 30, as part of the US Government’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking, the US State Department released its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The Report is an important barometer that provides global insights and evaluates countries’…
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Freedom Network Community |
Susan French: Pursuing Victim-Centered Prosecutions to help Human Trafficking Survivors
With a successful career dedicated to ending human trafficking, Susan French is an advocate for strategic victim-centered prosecutions. French is a human trafficking civil attorney and expert, formerly a federal prosecutor for 14 years with the U.S. Department of Justice…
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Freedom Network Community |
Freedom Network USA to host Webinar Series on Trauma-Informed Case Management
The Freedom Network USA is offering a practical 4-part training and technical assistance series to case managers and social workers working with trafficking survivors. The series will provide an overview of trauma-informed care and explore areas for implementation throughout the…
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Freedom Network Community |
My Sisters’ Place: Combating Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking
Through its direct counseling services and promotion of social change and community education, My Sisters’ Place (MSP) is a leading advocate for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Westchester County, New York. In 1976, the organization formed around…
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Freedom Network Community |
A Closer Look: Amnesty International’s Policy on Decriminalizing Consensual Sex Work
As first discussed in May, global human rights organization Amnesty International has released a policy in response to the high rates of human rights abuses experienced globally by sex workers. Based on two years of in-depth research, the policy calls…
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Freedom Network Community |
FN submits feedback for 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report
Every January the Department of State requests feedback from stakeholders in the anti-trafficking field to prepare its annual Trafficking in Persons Report. As a coalition of direct-service providers, Freedom Network USA members are uniquely situated to advocate for policies that…
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Freedom Network Community |
Freedom Network USA supports Amnesty International’s call to Decriminalize Sex Work
Freedom Network USA released a statement today in support of Amnesty International’s recent call on states to develop policies to decriminalize consensual sex work. The Freedom Network USA believes that decriminalization would protect the rights and safety of all sex…
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Freedom Network Community |
Freedom Network USA releases Member Report
The Freedom Network USA released their 2016 Member Report earlier this month in conjunction the 14th Annual Freedom Network USA Conference in Chicago. The report documents services provided to human trafficking survivors across the United States by our organizational members…
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Freedom Network Community |
FN publishes Op-Ed on changes to guest worker program
FN Executive Director, Jean Bruggeman and Board Member, Dan Werner (SPLC) wrote an opinion piece that ran on The Hill’s website this week. They argue that Congress should reject the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act (S. 2225) rider…
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Freedom Network Community |
FN Submits Amicus Brief in Support of Trafficking Survivors
The Freedom Network with pro bono counsel Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., recently submitted an amicus brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in the Adhikari v. Kellog Brown & Root, Inc. (KBR) case. We urge the Court…
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Freedom Network Community |
Food for Thought from FN Policy Co-Chair; Gonzalo Martinez de Vedia
Beyond the Chains: Tuning Into the Full Spectrum of Human Trafficking A pair of shackled hands. A body branded with a bar code. A woman behind bars. These are the images I have to walk audiences back from at every…
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Freedom Network Community |
FN Responds to National Johns Suppression Initiative
The Freedom Network (FN) released a response today to raise concerns about the National Johns Suppression Initiative.The two-month law enforcement led operation targeted individuals promoting or purchasing sexual services across the country, resulting in almost 1,000 arrests across 18 states.…
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Freedom Network Community |
The Freedom Network USA Welcomes Jean Bruggeman as Director, Strengthening the Coalition Combating Human Trafficking
The Freedom Network is pleased to introduce Jean Bruggeman as its first Director. Ms. Bruggeman’s deep and multifaceted experience within the anti-trafficking field is an ideal match for the human rights-based coalition of legal and social service providers that comprises…
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Freedom Network Community |
FN Response to Amnesty International’s Policy Decision on the Sex Industry
The Freedom Network released an official response today on Amnesty International’s recent policy decision to support decriminalization of the sex industry. FN commends Amnesty International for upholding the values of human rights, self-determination, and empowerment with this decision. Read the full…
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Freedom Network Community |
Freedom Network Responds to TVAP FOA.
As one of the nation’s first federally funded grants to support direct services to survivors of human trafficking, the Trafficking Victim Assistance Program (TVAP) program has assisted thousands of foreign-born survivors across the country. On June 19th, the Office of…
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Freedom Network Community |
FN Co-Chair Amy Fleischauer attends DHS’s Blue Campaign Anniversary Event
Freedom Network co-chair Amy Fleischauer recently attended the Blue Campaign’s 5th anniversary event, strengthening the partnerships between government and law enforcement, private and public organizations. The Blue Campaign is presented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in efforts…
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Freedom Network Community |
News Flash: Freedom Network Member CIW Featured on CBS News
Freedom Network member The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and their Fair Food Program on CBS news on Sunday! Watch the segment below, and connect with the CIW on Facebook and Twitter to spread the word! About the The Coalition…